Canadarm3 Under Development for Lunar Gateway
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded a contract for the development of Canadarm3, the third generation Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based robotic system destined for the NASA-led lunar-orbiting international space station program. The contract involves the award of Phase A of the Canadarm3 program, with options for the follow-on phases to MDA.
"We are proud to partner once again with the Canadian Space Agency to contribute world-leading Canadian technology and operational expertise to an international space exploration endeavor.
Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer of MDA.
Canadarm3 will operate aboard the Lunar Gateway supporting both human and robotic missions to the lunar surface, serving as a science laboratory, and acting as a proving ground for exploration missions into deeper space.
Canadarm3 will include the full robotics system, comprised of an eXploration Large Arm (XLA), an eXploration Dexterous Arm (XDA), specialized tools for performing maintenance and science tasks, as well as the ground control systems and AI-based control and mission planning software.
Because of extremely limited and delayed communication with the ground due to the Gateway's location some 250,00 miles from Earth, Canadarm3 will be highly autonomous and will use its advanced AI-enabled sensors and systems to safely conduct operations without requiring oversight and monitoring by the ground or on-board astronauts. The ground planning and control operations for the system will take place exclusively in Canada, in contrast to the previous generation Canadarm and Canadarm2, also built by MDA.
https://youtu.be/BKfpCto9ZMA
This initial Phase A of the Canadarm3 program will establish the technical requirements needed for the future design and manufacturing of the robotic system. This phase will further evolve the concepts developed by MDA in Phase 0 and advance the readiness level of critical technologies. Follow-on phases include Phase B (preliminary design), Phase C (final design) and Phase D (manufacturing, integration and test).
"We are proud to partner once again with the Canadian Space Agency to contribute world-leading Canadian technology and operational expertise to an international space exploration endeavor. In addition to delivering the most advanced space robotics system ever built, the Canadarm3 program will serve as a catalyst for economic and socio-economic benefits in Canada, and will inspire a new generation of Canadians to think about what can truly be accomplished here in Canada," said Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer of MDA.
MDA has also committed to produce a ''Value Proposition'' through the Government of Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefits policy that will optimize economic benefits to Canada from the Canadarm3 investment.
(Image and video provided with MDA news release)